HAPPY HAPPY SPRINGTIME 2017!

March 29, 2017 | « back

By: Ted Nugent

Arbor Day

Nugent and Arbor Day Student Mentor, Kim Sobanski

Well Happy Happy Springtime across America and beyond to all my deeranddeerhunting.com backstrap BloodBrothers! I know it is not quite that November opening day hair-raising thriller, but you must admit that thisfirst season of the year is pretty doggone special unto itself.

As powerful as the fall/winter season of harvest is to all of us, this natural, nature as healer kickoff to another very much appreciated new yearof renewal is even more important. For as we begin again our annual season of renewal, the entire rest of the year will be determined by what we do now.

I also know that I am not alone as I perform the universal springtime celebration rituals of shed hunting, morel mushroom hunts, the gathering of leeks, wild scallions and wild asparagus, chowing down on those luscious
bluegill filets, the constant and always challenging pursuit of elusive wild hogs and varmints and chasing those exciting spring longbeards.

Of course there’s also the early spring foodplot preparations and plantings, 3D shoots here and there and the constant review of our hunt gear as we peek ahead through our calendars to our beloved September, October, November and December insanity.

This phenomenal American Dream of life, liberty and pursuit of individual happiness available to every American should never be taken for granted, and for all smart Americans it takes intelligent prioritization on just how to
best use our time as effectively and efficiently as we possibly can. Clever balance of workin’ hard and playin’ hard makes Jack and Ted some very happy guys.

As I plunge spirit-first into my 69th springtime in 2017, the energy level rockets to incredible highs because it is also the time of year that I gather my incredible band and crew together for our summer rock-n-roll tour,
so my springtime has all the passion and spirit of the rut, and then some!

Touring all summer long six nights a week proves that we have this workin’ hard playin’ hard thang down to a ballistically co-efficient science. The best never rest! Whether stalking fresh flora and fauna or bagging a wary gobbler, every minute of our very special hard earned time beyond the pavement is all part of our deerhunting lifestyle.

The post-winter ground exposes well used deertrails that we can file away for future reference come fall.
Every minute and every step in the wild teaches us much about trails, rubs, scrapes and every imaginable spoor to best prepare us for the fall hunts.

Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of freshening up those mock scrapes even at this time of year. I learned many years ago, even before the advent of the trailcam explosion, that deer of every gender and age strata visit
and use real scrapes and well-done mockscrapes throughout the year. I learned from master deerhunters long ago that these pivotal signposts and calling cards of the wild play a meaningful role in holding local deer in
the area.

Along with foodplots and year round manipulation and enhancement of sanctuaries, a landowner can accomplish much to attract and hold deer in our favorite hunting zones. Do not underestimate the benefits of planting habitat upgrades with various coniferous and deciduous seedlings, young fruit trees, autumn olive thickets and puckerbrush enhancing hinge cuttings.

One does not have to be a land baron to accomplish and benefit from such land use activities. I used to do so on state and federal lands many years ago and reaped quality hunting benefits accordingly. We can also do so on our own private lands, on uncle Joe’s farm or at a buddies place. Such sweat equity hard work is a win, win, win, win all around.

Win, win already! Carpe’ springtime ya’ all. Get out there and join hands with Ma Nature as the rebirth erupts all around us. Be a force to reckon with and get those hands dirty putting more back into nature than we take
out.

The more you put in, the more you shall reap what ye shall sow.